Dolly for vacuum cleaners



Dec. 19, 1961 c. o. WINTERHOFF DoLLY FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Jan. l5,1957 3,013,367 DOLLY FR VACUUM CLEANERS Carl 0. Winterhni, 112 livisinnSt., Eilrhart, Intl., assignor to himself and Helen K. Boss Winterho,Eikhart, ind., jointly Filed Jan. 15, 1957, Ser. No.. 634,271 7 Clairns.(Cl. 28d-79.1)

This invention relates to a dolly for vacuum cleaners of the typeadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use. The main objects ofthis invention are,

First, to provide a dolly for vacuum cleaners of th type havingelongated casings adapted to be disposed horizontally when in use whichis light in weight and at the same time strong and durable, and permitsthe vacuum cleaners being readily mounted therein or removed therefrom,and supports the cleaner so that it may be readily transported or movedabout by means of the suction tube with which such suction cleaners arecommonly provided.

Second, to provide a dolly for vacuum cleaners having these advantagesin which the cleaner casing is eifectively supported against rotativemovement.

Third, to provide a dolly for vacuum cleaners which may be economicallyproduced,v is light in weight and at the same time is strong anddurable.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of a dolly embodying my invention, avacuum cleaner of the type having an elongated casing adapted to bedisposed horizontally when in use being indicated by dotted lines, theprotecting cap for the bearings shown in section.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the dolly partially in section and with thestraps positioned as though they were in embracing relation to a vacuumcleaner of the type referred to.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary View partially in section on a linecorresponding to line 3--3 of FIG. 2 with the caster wheels of the dollyshown in angled position;

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a pair of spacedcradles 1 which as illustrated are desirably formed of flat strips ofmetal bent to provide upwardly inclined diverging portions Z andlaterally projecting wheel attaching ears 3 extending beyond theinclined portions 2. The cradle members are Xedly connected by thelongitudinal bars 4 which are secured on the under sides of the upwardlyinclined portions Z of the cradle members by means of bolts 5. Straps 6are disposed `upon and secured to the cradle members by the bolts withtheir ends projecting therefrom to embrace the casing of a suctioncleaner indicated at 7 shown by dotted lines. Elongated stripJikecushioning members 8 are superimposed upon the portions of the strapssupported by the cradle and are Xedly secured thereto desirably by thesplit rivet 18 with the end portions 9 of the cushioning membersprojecting upwardly `at the inner sides of the straps and -in supportedrelation thereto. These cushioning members 8 are desirably of the widthcorresponding to the width of the straps. The cushioning members 8 aredesirably of quite yielding spongy material, of rubber or the like, andhave frictional as well as cushioning engagement with the casingsuperimposed thereon. The straps are provided with buckles so that thestraps may be passed around the casing and the casing clamped upon thecradle members. The cushioning members being yieldingly resilientprovide effective clamping engagement for the straps with the vacuumcleaner casing and the cushioning members readily con-y form to theportion of the casing embraced thereby.

The projecting wheel attaching ears provide a relatively wide spacingfor the pairs of wheels 11Vand 12. The wheels 11 are provided withfork-like supports 13 which are bolted to the ears of one cradle, boltsbeing indicated at 14. The wheels 12 are provided with caster yokes 15supported in suitable bearings 16 secured to the ears 3 of the othercradle which is normally the forward cradle of the dolly. The spindles20 of the casterV wheels are provided with cups 21 preferably` of rubberso that they serve as guards or buifers. 19 represents the suction hosewhich is commonly used to pull the cleaner about on its dolly.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a very practicalembodiment thereof. l have not attempted to illustrate or describe otherembodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure willenable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as maybe desirable. l y Having thus described the invention, what is claimedas new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A dolly for a vacuum cleaner of the type having an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use, the dolly comprisingupwardly facing spaced cradle members of at cross-section and includingupwardly inclined portions terminating in projecting wheel attachingears projecting beyond said upwardly inclined portions, longitudinalbars of at section fixedly secured to the under sides of said upwardlyinclined portions of said cradles and coacting with said cradle membersto provide a rigid frame, casing attaching straps superimposed upon saidcradles and secured to said upwardly incl-ined portions thereof with theends of the straps projecting therefrom, one free end of each strapbeing provided with a buckle, elongated resilient supporting andclamping members superimposed upon the portions of said straps disposedupon and secured to the'cradle members centrally thereofV and extendingtherefrom on the linner sides of and in supported relation to the strapsto embracingly support the bottom and portions of the sides of a casingdisposed on the cradle members and coacting with said straps inclarrrpingly securing the casing superimposed thereon, wheels providedwith forked hangers Xedly secured to the wheel attaching ears of one ofsaid cradle members, and lcaster wheels mounted on said ears of theother cradle member.

2. A dolly for a vacuum cleaner of the type having an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use, the dolly comprisingupwardly facing spaced cradle members terminating in projecting wheelattaching ears, longitudinal bars tixedly secured to the under sides ofsaid cradles and coacting with said cradle members to provide a rigidframe, casing attaching straps superimposed upon said cradles andsecured thereto with the ends of the straps projecting therefrom, onefree end of each strap being provided with a buckle, elongated resilientsupporting and clamping members superimposed upon the portions of saidstraps disposed upon and secured to the cradle members and extendingupwardly therefrom on the inner sides of and in supported relation tothe straps beyond the points of their attachment to the cradle membersto embracingly support the bottom and portions of the sides of a casingdisposed on the cradle members and coacting with said straps inclampingly securing the casing superimposed thereon, wheels mounted onsaid wheel attaching ears, one pair of Wheels being caster wheels.

3. A dolly for a vacuum cleaner of the type having an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use. the dolly comprisingupwardly facing spaced cradle members terminating in projecting wheelattaching ears,

Patented Dec. 19., 1961 .V

longitudinal bars fixedly secured to the under sides of said cradles andcoacting with said cradle members to provide a rigid frame, casingattaching straps superimposed upon said cradles and secured thereto withthe ends of the straps projecting therefrom, one free end of each strapbeing provided with a buckle, resilient supporting and clamping memberssuperimposed upon the portions of said straps disposed upon and securedto the cradle members in supported relation to the straps to embracinglysupport the bottom and portions of the sides of a casing disposed on thecradle members and coacting with said straps in clampingly securing thecasing superimposed thereon, wheels mounted on said wheel attachingears, one pair of wheels being caster wheels.

4. A dolly for vacuum cleaner of the type including an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use, the dolly comprisingupwardly facing spaced cradle members having upwardly inclined portionsterminating in wheel attaching ears, longitudinal bars iixedly securedto the under sides of said upwardly inclined portions of said cradlemembers, casing attaching straps superimposed upon and secured tosaidcradle members to project therefrom, elongated flexible supportingand clamping strips superimposed upon the portions of the strapsdisposed upon the cradle members and extending upwardly therefrom at theinner sides of and in supported relation to the straps beyond the pointsof their attachment to the cradle members and coacting with said strapsin clampingly securing the casing superimposed thereon, and pairs ofwheels mounted on said wheel attaching ears of said cradle members, onepair of wheels being caster wheels.

5. A dolly for vacuum cleaner of the type including an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use, the dolly comprisingupwardly facing spaced cradle members, longitudinal bars iixedly securedto the under sides of said upwardly inclined portions of said cradlemembers, casing attaching straps secured to said cradle members toproject therefrom, elongated flexible supporting and clamping stripsdisposed upon and secured to said cradle members and extending upwardlytherefrom at the inner sides of and in supported relation to the strapsand coacting in clampingly securing the casing superimposed thereon, andpairs of wheels mounted on said cradle members, one pair of wheels beingcaster wheels.

6. A dolly for vacuum cleaner of a type having an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use, the dolly comprisingupwardly facing bar-like cradle members and connecting bars therefor,casing attaching straps secured to said cradles adjacent the endsthereof, and having free portions projecting upwardly therefrom,resilient supporting and clamping members disposed upon said cradlemembers and secured thereto centrally thereof and having portionsprojecting beyond the cradles and beyond the point of attachment of thestraps of the cradle members and in supported relation to the straps toembracingly receive the under portion of a casing disposed on the cradlemembers and coacting with said straps in clampingly securing the casingsuperimposed thereon, and wheels on said cradle members.

7. A dolly for vacuum cleaners of the type having an elongated casingadapted to be disposed horizontally when in use, the dolly comprisingupwardly facing transversely disposed bar-like cradle members andlongitudinally connecting bars therefor spaced inwardly from the ends ofsaid cradle members, casing attaching straps secured to said cradlemembers in inwardly spaced relation to the ends thereof and having freeportions projecting upwardly from the cradle members, resilientsupporting and clamping members disposed upon said cradle members andsecured thereto in supported relation to the straps to embracinglyreceive the under portion of the casing disposed on the cradle membersand coacting with said straps in clampingly securing the casingsuperimposed thereon, and wheels disposed on the cradle members at theouter sides of said longitudinal connecting bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,027,265 Black Jan. 7, 1936 2,117,905 Nelson May 17, 1938 2,177,153ROSS Oct. 24, 1939 2,262,085 Allen Nov. 11, 1941 2,298,851 Wachter Oct.13, 1942 2,343,597 Wachter Mar. 7, 1944 2,484,494 Ferguson Oct. 11, 19492,528,872 Dick Nov. 7, 1950 2,729,843 Seek Jan. l0, 1956 2,740,981Famolare Apr. 10, 1956 2,745,673 Koepke May 15, 1956

